Polygonal lightweight closure elements and assemblies



Sept. 22, 1964 w. J. PENTESCO 3,149,744

POLYGONAL LIGHTWEIGHT CLOSURE ELEMENTS AND ASSEMBLIES Filed Nov. 5, 1962' illl! INVENTOR. WA 75a J PEN rsc0 TQRNEX United States Patent 3,149,744 PQLYGONAL LIGHTWEIGHT CLQSURE ELEMENTS AND ASSEMBLHES Walter .I. Pentesco, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, as-

signor to American Flange & Manufacturing C0,, Inc,

New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 5, 1962, Ser. No. 235,457 8 Claims. (Cl. 220-39) This invention relates to containers and closures therefor and is particularly concerned with a lightweight container wall and closure assembly combination providing improved torque resistance.

The invention disclosed in this application is an improvement over the invention disclosed in application Serial No. 217,483 filed Aug. 16, 1962, by Clarence W. Dearing entitled Container Wall Closure Combinations and Assemblies and over the invention in continuation application Serial No. 230,786 filed on October 8, 1962, by the same inventor entitled Container Wall Closure Combination and Assemblies, both of said prior applications having the same assignee as the present application. Continuation application Serial No. 230,786 discloses an invention in a particular opening neck formation in a container wall having a particular closure assembly secured thereto wherein the container manufacturer merely needs to specially form the standard opening, leaving it to the filler of the container to apply the desired closure assembly thereto. The invention in application Serial No. 217,483 constituted an improvement thereover in that, besides disclosing various other closure assemblies secured to said neck formation, it also discloses improvements in the securing formation of the closure assembly as well as in the combination of the neck formation and the closure assembly for the effecting of an improved closure.

The structural qualities of the previously disclosed closure assemblies have been highly meritorious and sufficient in and of themselves for certain purposes. These merits have themselves suggested the desirability of trying to further develop this lightweight closure to the point where a plug could be threadedly engaged within the closure flange and tightened to a high enough torque value so as to render the closure assembly acceptable for application to large containers such as the 55 gal. type. With a circular container opening neck formation and a corresponding circular flange securing formation of the prior disclosures referred to, it is possible to tighten the plugs to such a point in the prior assembly of plug and flange that, after the closure is subsequently applied to a drum, the torque required to unscrew the plug may in some instances be suflicient to cause the closure assembly to rotate relative to the opening. In the prior art, flanges were manufactured of a much heavier gauge metal and were seated in container wall openings by forcing them together in a heavy press. This embossed the metal of the container wall to receive any out of round portion of the flange thereby preventing rotation between the flange and container wall. The light gauge metal used in the instant flange does not enable such an embossment to be formed nor is the applying force by any means as great. Hence mating surfaces to prevent rotation need to be formed independently.

Heretofore the primary drawback of employing such mating surfaces has been the necessity for lining up or circumferentially indexing the closure relative to the container opening so that the respective polygonal or other rotation preventing surfaces of the flange and the opening neck are matched up prior to the clinching operation. With the prior art arrangements, an effective engagement in terms of either leakage or torque resistance was precluded between the flange and the contianer if 3,l49,744 Patented Sept. 22, 1964 an unmatched condition existed. In fact the more likely result was severe damage to both. Attempts have been made to overcome this problem by the introduction of various devices designed to circumferentially index the flange and the container opening relative to each other but none to date have proved practically economic-a1 for use in a rapid filling operation.

Applicant has presented a practical and most desirable solution to this problem by the herein disclosed polygonal opening neck formation and a matching flange configuration whereby the two surfaces are very easily matched by the application of just a slight rotational movement when the closure assembly is hand placed in the opening prior to the clinching operation. However, if for any reason a closure assembly should fail to seat properly and become oriented on the opening with the polygonal surfaces in unmatched relationship, a reasonably satisfactory closure will be effected so as to still satisfy the minimum requirements and without any resulting damage to the finished product.

In addition and importantly the polygonal formation in both the opening neck and the flange in the invention construction have been so located as not to detract in any way from the eflectiveness of the plug gasket seat on the flange or the seal formed between the flange and the opening neck. In both the flange and the opening neck the entire cross sectional wall has been fully utilized so that each portion thereof has a specific purpose contributing toward a light, compact, and extremely effective closure. Further the polygonal formation in both surfaces has been located so as to impart a high degree of strength and rigidity to the combination, which factor increases in importance with the achievement of increased torque resistance.

It is accordingly a primary object of this invention to improve upon closure assembly-container wall combinations.

Another object is to provide an improved container opening neck formation.

Another object is to provide a closure assembly-container wall combination having improved torque resistance.

A further object is to provide an improved closure assembly-container wall combination having matching polygonal surfaces.

A still further object is to provide a closure flange having a polygonal surface which can be easily matched up with a polygonally formed opening neck upon application thereto.

Further and more detailed objects of the invention will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out as the description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, proceeds.

In that drawing:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a container wall opening closure assembly combination in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view partially .cut away of the container wall opening and closure flange.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on lines 3-3 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on lines 4-4 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of .the arrows.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section showing the closure flange placed on the container wall opening in matched but unsecured position.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the flange engaged Within the opening neck in unmatched position.

Considering first the entire combination shown in FIG. 1, it is seen that the closure assembly itself has as its main parts a closure flange 1, a closure plug 2, details of which latter can be had by reference to co-pending application Serial No. 216,809 of Walter J. Pentesco ens earer titled Closure Plugs and Methods for Making Same filed on Aug. 14, 1962 the same assignee as this application, and a capseal 3. The capseal 3 is also the same as that shown on application Serial No. 217,483 with the exception that the present capseal has a small flowed in gasket 4 located at the juncture of the skirt 5 and the disc-like top 6. The primary function of this gasket is to prevent any water from gaining access to the recessed plug 2 from the outside. This condition could prove detrimental to the closure under sustained periods of outside storage. The above generally described assembly is provided as a complete unit by the manufacturer thereof and is applied to a container wall opening after the container has been filled as more fully discussed in application Serial No. 217,483 and Serial No. 230,786.

Going into greater detail the flange generally indicated at 1, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 5, comprises a securing formation generally indicated at 7 and FIG. 5 forming the peripheral portion thereof and having a first upwardly and slightly outwardly tapered portion 8, a second portion 9 extending in an upward and outward incline from the upper end of the first portion, a rounded upper portion 10 and an outer peripheral wall 11 extending downwardly from the rounded portion 10. The present closure flange 1 is improved over that disclosed in application Serial No. 217,483 by having the first portion 8, in addition to hav ing a slight taper for a reason to be fully discussed subsequently, having a polygonal cross sectional configuration formed therein. A sixteen sided formation has been found to be most advantageous here in order to obtain maximum torque resistance while at the same time facilitating matching of the flange with the container wall opening. In FIG. 5 the sides and corners of the polygon are indicated respectively by numerals 12 and 13.

Extending radially inwardly from the lower end of the securing formation 7, the flange 1 has an annular web 14 which has at its inner periphery a downwardly and in wardly inclining gasketing portion 15 and a downwardly extending threaded wall 16. Threadedly engaged with the neck is the plug 2 with its accompanying gasket 17 as described in application Serial No. 217,483.

Looking now at FIGS. 3 and 4, it can be seen that the container wall 20 has an opening with an upstanding neck generally indicated at 21 therearound. This neck formation, also improved upon that disclosed in application Serial No. 217,483, is formed with a first curved portion indicated generally at 22 extending upwardly from the container wall. The formation continues from the curved portion 22 directly into a doubled over portion having an upwardly and outwardly extending first part 23, a rounded upper end or head 24 and a downwardly and inwardly extending second part 25. The second part overlies and tightly engages the first part 23 throughout its length so that the doubled portion having parts 24 and 25 has a frusto conical form extending from the curved single thickness portion 22 at an angle of substantial extent with respect to the axis of the opening.

Looking at FIG. 2, it can be seen that there is formed on the interior of the first curved portion 22 of the neck, a surface having a sixteen sided polygonal cross sectional configuration similar'to that formed in the flange. The sides and corners of this polygonal section are indicated by numerals 26 and 27 respectively in FIGS. 3 and 4 wherein it can be seen that the polygonal surface varies in depth from a relatively narrow area at the center of 'the sides 26 to a much greater depth at the corners 2'7 which extend from a point 28 at the bottom surface of the container wall to a point 29 at the approximate juncture of the first curved portion 22 with the upwardly and outwardly extending first part 23. Thus the only areas representing the first upwardly curved portion 22 are the rounded portions 30 lying above and below the sides 26.

An important aspect of this particular construction lies in the fact that the polygonal surface formed in the neck also is on a slight upward and outward incline corresponding to that in the matching flange portion. However these tapered surfaces are sized so as to come together before the flange, even though properly registered with the neck, has been seated all the way down, leaving the crimping action to complete the seating and securing. The relationship of the opening neck and the flange when initially engaged is shown in somewhat exaggerated condition in FIG. 5 where it can be seen that the surfaces contact at the line 18, short of full seating even though they are properly registered. The rounded portions 30 and the slight inclination of the respective polygonal surfaces enables registering of the parts to be easily effected by the exertion of light rotational force applied to the closure in the event that, when placed in the opening, the closure assembly is initially unmatched with the neck formation. It can also be seen in FIG. 5 that, as the closure assembly is urged downwardly by the sealing tool, shown in detail in application Serial No. 217,483, a wedging action takes place between the flange and the neck due the self-locking taper formed in the matching polygonal portions. This self-locking taper in the respective surfaces is such that when the assembly reaches its fully seated position shown in FIG. 1, a tight joint is formed which creates a partial seal between the opposed metal surfaces in addition to that provided by the gasket Sill on the head 24. Further there is provided a strong supporting surface against which the opening neck is urged when the jaws of the sealing tool crimp the capseal skirt 5 and underlying peripheral wall 11 inwardly around the outer surface of the opening neck.

The combined structure is such as to provide a positive metal to metal contact between container wall and the flange at the position 32 and the head of the plug and the flange at the position 33 resulting in a rigid wall across the entire closure area. Further the respective cross sectional walls of both the flange and the opening neck have been utilized to their fullest extent with each minute portion serving an important function. The polygonal walls are such as to impart a high degree of stiffness and rigidity to the combination while at the same time detracting in no way from the effectiveness of the leakproof seal formed between the flange and the neck or between the flange and the plug. Most importantly, of course, is the greatly improved torque resistance which is achieved due to the matching polygonal surfaces representing a substantial improvement over the arrangements disclosed in the above mentioned co-pending applications.

H6. 6 is shown to illustrate the relative position of the flange and neck when the clinching operation takes place with the parts inadvertently placed in an unmatched position. Although the instant closure assembly container wall combination is designed to prevent this condition with relative ease, it is pointed out that due particularly to the above described self-locking taper formed in the cooperating polygonal surfaces a leakproof seal having a relatively high degree of torque resistance will still be effected between the parts so as to meet minimum acceptable standards.

Since numerous variations and modifications of the container wall closure assembly combination herein shown and described will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, it is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction described and shown and various embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the scope thereof. It is accordingly intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having described my invention what I claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A container wall opening neck formation comprising a first outwardly curved portion of a single thickness of container wall material extending upwardly from said container wall and a doubled over second portion formed as an extension of said first portion and extending outwardly and upwardly from said curved portion in frusto conical form at an angle of substantial extent with respect to the axis of said opening, said second portion having an upwardly and outwardly extending first part, a rounded upper end and a second part extending downwardly and inwardly from said rounded end, a surface formed within the confines of said first outwardly curved portion having a slight upward and outward incline with respect to the axis of said opening and having a polygonal cross-sectional configuration when viewed in the plane of the opening, said polygonal surface diminishing from a maximum height at the corners to a minimum height at the midpoint between the corners.

2. In closure construction a lightweight closure flange formed as an annular member having a securing formation forming the peripheral portion of said flange, said securing formation having a first upwardly extending portion, a second portion extending upwardly and outwardly from the upper end of said first portion, a rounded upper portion and an outer portion extending downwardly from said upper portion adapted to be formed inwardly around an upstanding container wall opening neck formation, said first upwardly extending portion having a slight upward and outward incline with respect to the axis of the opening and having a polygonal cross sectional configuration when viewed in a plane transverse to the axis of said annular member, an annular web extending radially inwardly from the lower end of said first portion of said securing formation, and a screw threaded neck formed with a dispensing opening therethrough extending from the radially innermost portion of said web.

3. In closure construction, a lightweight closure flange formed as an annular member having a securing formation forming the peripheral portion of said flange, said securing formation having a first upwardly extending portion, a second portion extending upwardly and outwardly from said first portion, a rounded upper portion and an outer portion extending downwardly from said upper portion adapted to be formed inwardly around an upstanding container wall opening neck formation, said first upwardly extending portion having a polygonal cross sectional configuration when viewed in a plane transverse to the axis of said annular member, an annular web extending radially inwardly from said first portion of said securing formation and a screw threaded neck formed with a dispensing opening therethrough extending from said web.

4. A container wall opening assembly combination comprising a container wall formed with an opening therein and a closure assembly secured thereto, said opening having a bordering formation in the form of a neck formed integrally from the stock of said container wall surrounding said opening, said opening neck including a first outwardly curved portion of a single thickness of container wall extending upwardly from said container wall and a doubled over second portion formed as an extension of said first portion and extending outwardly and upwardly from said first portion in frusto conical form at an angle of substantial extent with respect to the axis of said opening, said second portion having an upwardly and outwardly extending first part, a rounded upper end and a second part extending downwardly and inwardly from said rounded end, a surface formed within the confines of said first outwardly curved portion having a slight upward and outward incline with respect to the axis of said opening and having a polygonal cross sectional configuration when viewed in the plane of the opening, said polygonal surface being of a greater depth at the corners than at the sides, said assembly including a flange formed as an annular member having a securing formation formin the peripheral portion of said flange, said securing formation having an inclined polygonal wall conforming to the polygonal form of said neck so as to prevent relative rotation between the neck and the flange, an annular web extending radially inwardly from said Wall and a screw threaded neck formed with a dispensing opening therethrough extending from said web.

5. A container wall opening assembly combination as in claim 4 having a threaded closure member engaged with said threaded neck and a tamperproof capseal overlying said fiange and plug and snugly engaging said peripheral securing formation.

6. A container wall opening assembly combination comprising a container wall formed with an opening therein and a closure assembly secured thereto, said opening having a bordering formation in the form of a neck formed integrally from the stock of said container wall surrounding said opening, the base of said neck presenting an upwardly and outwardly inclined surface having a polygonal cross sectional configuration when viewed in the plane of the opening, said assembly including a flange formed as an annular member having a securing forma tion forming the peripheral portion of said flange, said securing formation having a first upwardly extending portion a second portion extending upwardly and outwardly from the upper end of said first portion, a rounded upper portion and an outer portion extending downwardly from said upper portion formed inwardly around said neck formation, said first upwardly extending portion having a slight upward and outward incline with respect to said opening and having a polygonal cross sectional configuration when viewed in the plane of said opening, an annular web extending radially inwardly from the lower end of said first portion of said securing formation and a screw threaded neck formed with a dispensing opening therethrough extending from the radially innermost portion of said web.

7. A container wall opening assembly combination as in claim 6 having a threaded closure member engaged with said threaded neck and a tamperproof capseal overlying said flange and plug and snugly engaging said peripheral securing formation.

8. A container wall opening assembly combination comprising a container wall formed with an opening therein and a closure assembly secured thereto, said opening having a bordering formation in the form of a neck formed integrally from the stock of said container wall surrounding said opening, the base of said neck presenting an upwardly and outwardly inclined surface having a polygonal cross sectional configuration when viewed in the plane of the opening, said assembly including a flange formed as an annular member having a securing formation forming the peripheral portion of said flange, said securing formation having an inclined polygonal wall conforming to the polygonal form of said neck so as to prevent relative rotation between the neck and the flange, an annular web extending radially inwardly from said wall and a screw threaded neck formed with a dispensing opening therethrough extending from said web.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,333,822 Sample et al. Nov. 9, 1943 2,471,716 Bell May 31, 1949 2,972,431 Parish et al Feb. 21, 1961 3,076,670 Meyer Feb. 5, 1963 

1. A CONTAINER WALL OPENING NECK FORMATION COMPRISING A FIRST OUTWARDLY CURVED PORTION OF A SINGLE THICKNESS OF CONTAINER WALL MATERIAL EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM SAID CONTAINER WALL AND A DOUBLED OVER SECOND PORTION FORMED AS AN EXTENSION OF SAID FIRST PORTION AND EXTENDING OUTWARDLY AND UPWARDLY FROM SAID CURVED PORTION IN FRUSTO CONICAL FORM AT AN ANGLE OF SUBSTANTIAL EXTENT WITH RESPECT TO THE AXIS OF SAID OPENING, SAID SECOND PORTION HAVING AN UPWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY EXTENDING FIRST PART, A ROUNDED UPPER END AND A SECOND PART EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY AND INWARDLY FROM SAID ROUNDED END, A SURFACE FORMED WITHIN THE CONFINES OF SAID FIRST OUTWARDLY CURVED PORTION HAVING A SLIGHT UPWARD AND OUTWARD INCLINE WITH RESPECT TO THE AXIS OF SAID OPENING AND HAVING A POLYGONAL CROSS-SECTIONAL CONFIGURATION WHEN VIEWED IN THE PLANE OF THE OPENING, SAID POLYGONAL SURFACE DIMINISHING FROM A MAXIMUM HEIGHT AT THE CORNERS TO A MINIMUM HEIGHT AT THE MIDPOINT BETWEEN THE CORNERS. 